Beginning with the principal, staff and students of the Montserrat Community College processing in through the rear door of the St. James Anglican Church, Salem promptly at 9.00 a.m. on Monday, September 3, 2018, to a hymn played by Miss Anne-Marie Dewar at the organ; followed by the singing of the Territorial Anthem, then by an Invocation led by Pastor Peter Buffonge, the MCC began in its fourth Convocation.
“Trust in the Lord with all thine heart and lean not to thine own understanding – in all your ways acknowledge him and He will direct your path,” the pastor quoted from Solomon, and then prayed, “…You are still God of Montserrat and you are still in charge, and today we ask that You will guide throughout this physical school term, through Jesus name…” The term runs from September 2018 to June 2019.
Then the singing of a popular hymn ‘Shine Jesus Shine’ preceding the Welcome by new principal Mrs. Geraldine Cabey, appointed,
beginning August 27, 2018, according to BY DISCOVERMNITEAM · August 10, 2018.
Mrs Cabey in her welcome to the attendees, official and otherwise, addressed the students congratulating them for making the decision to pursue post-secondary education at the Community College.
“I feel as excited as you do today,” she began. “…We are both charting new territory. The only difference is, that my life’s experience would have better prepared me for the challenges ahead, but together and with yours truly as your leader, I will be pulling you along this journey.”
Saying to the students, “We are mindful that you had alternate choices but let me assure you have made the best choice. Why is that so? You get to spend an additional two years with your parents, with Montserrat – You get that time to grow a little more in preparation for the external world. 16 years plus in my estimation is still a bit young to send you abroad.”
She assured further: “In addition, you have today of faculty, administrative staff, to look out hostelry for you. You will not be in an environment where you will you will just merely be a statistic. We will get to know you by name; we will look out for you; we will seek you when we think you are falling behind. It will only happen for you at the MCC.”
Boasting of the Colleges exam achievements – “We boast one of the highest in the region’” amassing a pass rate for the past three years over 90%, “in fact this year 92%.
In closing her welcome remarks Mrs Cabey promises that at the next gathering, “we will welcome our technical and vocational students.” A call that has been made over and over.
Miss Stevikha Foster, 2nd-year student introduced the guest speaker to deliver the feature address. Miss Sonia Smith, Miss Foster announced Miss Smith as having hailed from Cork Hill, receiving a Certificate in Public Administration from the Open Campus of the University of the West Indies (UWI) followed by 
a Bachelor of Arts degree in Library and Information studies at the Mona campus, Jamaica. She is currently the Librarian the Montserrat Public Library. Stevikha welcomed Miss Smith whose very involved in church and community activities, with a motto = “With God all things are possible.”
Beginning by addressing two questions to the students, thus, with some suggested answers: – First: What is your purpose for being here?
I want to remind you, you are just beginning the journey into lifelong learning because we never stop learning…
“Purpose is the essential element of you. It is the reason you are on the planet at this particular time in history. Your very existence is wrapped up in the things you are here to fulfil.” So knowing your purpose is important.
My second question is this – what are your core values? What do you believe in? Who do you believe in? What drives you to want to achieve your very best? What motivates you to get out of bed in the morning?
“ – we may encounter many defeats but we must not be defeated.” Today I am not ashamed to say that my belief in God has helped me to be where I am now. You must have that strong fighting instinct at your core that says no matter what I face I will push forward to accomplish my dreams.
Miss Smith then offered some suggestions as she outlined – The Four C’s of Success – Creativity and Innovation; Critical Thinking; Communication; and Collaboration.
“Remember to develop the 4C’s’” she said – “The possibilities are endless as you use these tools with your core values at your center.
This is your opportunity to write the sentences of your life. Sentences make up paragraphs. Paragraphs become chapters and chapters eventually become books. What will the book of your life look like when it is written?
“Remember that life is a journey with many stops and interruptions along the way. Take the opportunity and move forward in spite of the interruptions.”
The proceedings continued with the hymn ‘I give my hands’ followed with brief remarks by Hon. Delmaude Ryan, Minister of Education, Health, Social Services, Youth affairs and sports.
A presentation of the full-time students 2018-19, the recital of the Students’ Pledge by the CAPE and Nursing Assistants and the Convocation preceded the presentation of gifts to the speakers and the principal before the recessional march of faculty and students to end.
Mrs. Cabey had informed that the school Body contains 17 first-year student and 27 returning students enrolled in the Caribbean Advanced proficiency examination (CAPE) programme. Eight students are enlisted in the Nursing Assistant Training programme.
College to offer technical and vocation programs
In closing her remarks Mrs Cabey pledged. “Am truly committed to the vision and mission of our institution the Montserrat community college. I hereby confess. That I view the principalship our institution, not as a job. For me it is a lifestyle being part of the teaching profession has always been a lifestyle.
I intend to ensure that it continues to be the cornerstone one of sustainable development in Montserrat. That is why at our next gathering I would love to extend Welcome to our technical and vocational students we are gonna to make it happen this year.
